Tulipmania!

If you love tulips, do check out Tulipmania this period at Gardens By The Bay. I was there yesterday on a cool day (anyway, the Flower Drome conservatory is air-conditioned) for a brief visit. Reminded me of my visit to Holland years ago. Nothing beats the real thing but our local version is not bad either, albeit a mini version. Flowers never fail to brighten your day. 

Musings

Sometimes, life is so amazing. This morning when I woke up, I suddenly thought of a very close friend and missing this friend. Then within the next hour, the Universe miraculously brought news of this friend to me through some means which I shall not reveal here. Many times it has happened, whenever I think of someone and wonder how that person was, I would get the answer somewhat immediately. The power of the workings of the universe and the mind. I'm quite sure the other person knows too. Amazing. And you know what, it's times like this that keep me sane. No matter what, I know that things are fine. I'm a very loyal friend to those I trust and strongly believe in, especially those whom I share great camadarie with.

Anyway, I collated my shoes shots from Instagram and realised I didn't really snap too much of this view (compared to some bloggers). That's all I have, haha! 

If you notice, you'll know I love red shoes, 60% of my shoes in my cabinet are red/maroon/orange. All are flats. I used to love boots but it's too hot for our weather. And I'm having a current interest in pants with prints. Wheeee....

I still remember each time or occasion these shots were snapped; the top left was in MBS during the Grand Puja setup,  top 2nd was in the MRT on the way to work in my cargo pants and a black George flats, top right was a pair of cheap orange flats I found at $13. Middle left was my favourite Rockport maroon travelling shoes, was trying to warm them up before a trip. Middle 2nd was a pair of flats with green prints I like, only $9.90 after discount! Middle right was a chequered pants with my red Naturalizer flats. Bottom left was taken when I was donating blood wearing a fav red leather Kenneth Cole flats from Dubai which was hugely discounted. Bottom 2nd was a flexi pair of striking orange tods, an unforgettable pair (see right photo, boohoo!). Bottom right was my old reliable Crocs in a coach with Dagyab Rinpoche on the way to Kuala Lumpur! 

What makes me happy

Perhaps a cliche subject but I'm going to try to come up with as many as possible. Because...... just because I had the worst past few days lying in bed (in between work, very brief errands and prayers) with cough, stuffy nose, fever and excruciating bodyache. So I got to cheer myself up by thinking happy thoughts.

1. Having late night suppers with friends, in fact any meals with friends. I used to hang out in Old Hong Kong with my BFFs for supper and we had chat till past midnight because they were open 24 hours (I mean the cafe, and my friends too! Haha!)

2. Witnessing friends who show random acts of kindness towards strangers. I've a friend who always touched me with her kindness and compassion towards old people, ie. she always walk up to the elderly person who is peddling some stuff on the street or selling something in a stall, she had just drop in some cash. So she's my source of inspiration and model.

3. Happy photos. Naturally I like to remember the good times of the photos I've taken, with people/animals I care about or had fun with. Sometimes seeing even photos of the food I had with some friends makes me happy (some friends do not understand why I should snap photos of food every time or they do not like their photos to be taken). But precisely because most photos are taken when one's happy and not when one's in a lousy mood. And it is often the company that matters, happy photos, happy times, happy imprints. 

4. When gurus remember me. A little narcissistic but anyone would feel happy when someone whom you admire or in awe of, recognises you and remembers you through his huge smile and excited eyes. So what more, when my very own guru, whom I hold dearly as the Buddha, talk to me, blesses me or knocks his head gently on mine, and ask how I am. 

5. Winning 4D/Toto or any forms of cash/gifts. I'm being practical, haha! But let me assure you it's shortlived (although I still dream of winning a car or condo one day, haha). When I received cheques from Google, it's a reminder that my dying blog is still being appreciated. In fact I'm just thankful it's still consistently garnering more than 1000 hits per day. I think it's auto pilot now. 

6. Chubby little kids, especially little chubby baby boys. I don't know why but I love their innocent eyes and so pinchable cheeks and their baby smell. I had my share of babysitting my younger cousins and niece and nephew and those moments still bring back lovely memories. 

7. Reading something and it suddenly hits me with some understanding /realisation (eureka! moment). Especially so regarding the Dharma. I may not be the most intelligent person around, I'm not an outspoken person and I don't ask lots of questions. In our society of assessing people by their outspokenness or smart quips, I think I'm a dying breed. I just prefer to put my thoughts into writing rather than spontaneous outbursts/blurbs. 

8. Divine help. Naturally if one believes in the divine, one would be blissed out. Take for example, the other day, I was late for an appointment and decided to take a cab.  I saw the spot which was usually quite easy to flag a cab (not a taxi stand) had two guys already there waiting. And right at that moment another 3 ladies arrived and chose to wait for a cab right before me! My initial thought was 'shit!' but decided to pray for divine help from a certain Dharma protector. I had decided to pray that those 5 people in front of me quickly get their cabs fast so that I might be able to get mine too. Just barely a minute after I muttered my prayers, one cab came and the first guy got in. Another cab also arrived, and while the other guy and the 3 ladies before me were flagging furiously, it went past them and stopped right in front of me. Prayers answered (I've often tried this and it worked 90% of the time). ;)

9. Going places. The destination doesn't have to be somewhere in another country, as long as it's a place which brings back nostalgic happy memories. But I think travelling always makes one happy. I am in awe of holy places in India and Nepal. I always remember trips with friends to Turkey, Dubai, and nearby Bangkok and Malaysia. And I'll never forget family trips to the entire Europe, China and Australia. 

10. No airs. no flares, an equal society. Ideally in an equilibrium state of society, we do not wish the see the ugliness and suffering of mankind manifesting. I would very much like to see that in any organisation, or social scene, but sadly it's not to be. However at rare times I do see that it does exist. Take for instance, when my father was hospitalised for more than a month in Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the medical team as well as the support staff took excellent care of him physically. Despite limited resources of the hospital at times, whether the patient is rich and influential, or poor, he/she receives the same equal amount of care and attention with no biasness, no flare ups, no inconsistencies. This is what our world should be about, something I hope to witness more. 

Around my old neighbourhood

I am nursing a bad cough. After more than 3 weeks of self medication and both Chinese and Western medicine, my cough still persisted. So I went back to my usual clinic in my old neighbourhood as they have my longest medical records plus list of drug allergies. And it was nostalgic visiting the place again...

First stop straight to the doctor's. Looking at their primitive software and old dot matrix printer over the counter,  I remember my first ex boss was the pioneer in the medical industry to develop a clinic software about 20 years ago, a system which could alert drug allergies of individual patients! I was the sales person in those days talking to specialists and GPs to computerise! Haha!

After seeing the doctor, I chanced upon a mobile nursery ! So interesting. I supposed it was owned by one of the stalls selling plants and flowers in the market. But it is a good idea to be able to have a mobile lorry/truck ferrying common plants around whenever you want to buy some for home. How wonderful if they could come to your door step and you pick and choose plants from what's available or you 'pre-order' the types of plants you are interested in before they come. Save transport and delivery costs. 

For old times sake, although I was going to the wet market for my brunch, I went to a coffee shop selling my favourite char bee hoon and black noodles. I ordered a packet to takeaway. Their noodles for breakfast are very popular in the morning and no where else comes close in terms of the taste. And they top the char bee hoon with fried tau kee. I could eat the noodles plain without any additional ingredients, just green chilli will do. 

Everytime I came back to my old neighbourhood I would order the fried carrot cake from Kim Lee. 

Still my favourite fried carrot cake with lots cai por and garlic and a little moist and fragrant soft with egg, only $2 a plate. 

A few stalls away from Kim Lee carrot cake stall, is the soya bean drinks stall which is still very popular and run by a few brothers. I always order their warm soya bean drink to go with my fried carrot cake. Still prefer the old traditional tau huay (soya beancurd) they are selling  than those soya bean pudding type popular nowadays. 

The Yong Tau Foo stall caught my attention, their variety of items very fresh and fast moving. They also serve in variety of soup; clear soup or dry, tomyam soup, laksa gravy, as well as others like ban mian and fish soup and fried chicken rice/noodles. 

I was greedy. Although I was full I ordered and tried a bowl of dry Yong Tau Foo with a few items without noodles. Yummy! 

Next stop, the Muslim stall to pack lunch for my father. Wow I always judge the popularity of a Muslim food stall with the variety of dishes served and they looked so fresh, delicious and inviting, plus a constant flow of customers. If my stomach could still take in, I would definitely order more! 

They wrapped the takeaway rice like a ball and the usual dishes I order would be the Sambal cuttlefish, begedel (fried potato), stirfry long bean/tempeh/fried beancurd, or fried chicken wing or mutton. Yums!

Chanced upon an old key duplicate shop and did extra keys. Anytime more friendlier than those commercialised shops in shopping malls. :) 

And in the midst of the crowd eating in the hawker centre there was a guy singing just outside the toilets. Playing the electronic organ with sound system and microphone, he belted out English oldies for entertainment and hopefully for some tips. 

By the way, my old neighbourhood is in Sims Drive, a small housing estate near Aljunied MRT station. 

Bleeding heart

Familiar places became a stoic past. 
Enamoured faces replaced with impassive aloofness. 
Intense feelings beget emptiness. 
Even as the deep hurt could not be erased completely, 
The causes should not be completely ignored. 
Compassion and clinging often intertwined. 
External struggles a losing game to the bleeding heart. 
The innermost world, however, remained unfettered. 
A voyeur of the past, embrace this moment. 

Post note: 

Wrote the above during the wee hours of morning of a working day and a stressful week and a hectic period. One of those times when I become inspirational and 'poetic'. Incidentally, these heart-shaped flowers I fancy are known as 'bleeding hearts', and they are poisonous. No one knows our own struggles better than us. Thus we alone are responsible to find the solution to our bleeding poisoned heart. No one else. 

In addition, as a reminder to myself.... always believe in the truth. My guru Dagyab Rinpoche says, practising Bodhicitta shouldn't make you weak or foolish. It should make you strong. In order to be strong, you need to be indestructible. If you're right, you're right. If you think you've been hurt or wronged, you can always challenge it. However you need to have a calm peaceful mind and not destroy your own composure.

Happy Li Chun 立春 and saving lives in the new year

Today 4 Feb, is Li Chun (立春). Traditionally, Li Chun is the day which the new year officially begins, according to the lunar calendar, even though this year's CNY day was on 23 Jan. So, the Water Dragon is officially here!  Do ensure you do good deeds and have an auspicious day! I am sure I am going to have a very meaningful day later and I might blog about it too.

Yesterday, I found time to go donate blood at the Bloodbank in Singapore General Hospital. It has been a while since I last donated blood.  I used to do it regularly a few years ago. This time I thought since it is the lunar new year, it would be good to do my part in saving lives, and to accumulate some merits. Also, it may prevent any mishap from happening to me throughout the new year (although I am not sure, but according to some soothsayers, they say that if one is meant to encounter any mishap or accident or sickness during the year, donating (losing) blood before that may sometimes just prevent the unfortunate event from happening!).

  

Truth be told, I have a little slight phobia of getting poked by the needle nowadays. This was from my previous experience when I did regular accupuncture sessions where I have many needles poking into my whole body at the same time.  After some time, the phobia developed. Anyway, I always made sure I do not look at my arm, the spot where they were going to insert the needle. It was pretty fast as I squeezed out a pint of my blood in no time (about 10 minutes). During that time, I was actually chanting mantras, especially the Kuan Yin (Chenrezig) mantra and the Medicine Buddha mantra. Then afterwards I dedicated the merits of this act to those who are sick and suffering in pain and especially to those who are going to receive my blood.

Here were the stuff I received with compliments from the Bloodbank afterwards. A snack of curry puff or sandwich, a bowl of red bean soup and a cup of Milo/tea/coffee.  They also gave me a diary note book, a stress release ball (we actually squeeze it with the palm to pump out blood faster), as well as some Iron pills.

During my blood donation session, I was a little surprised to see that almost half of the donors there were actually not locals. Next time, if we are going to criticise our foreign comrades, I think we have to remind ourselves of some of the foreigners' selfless contribution to Singapore too, and be mindful of our speech.  I would encourage you to donate blood if you are able to, to save the lives of those who need it.  Pay it forward. Anyway, I am happy that I am in great health and strong to be able to do this blood donation. And I can do it again once every 3 months. 

Have a happy Li Chun ! 

"Not like Singapore...one day flooding, everybody call police!"

My cousin's parents have finally returned home, to their flooded neighbourhood Bangkae. They had been away staying in another province. My cousin did a cute collage of her mom (my aunt), her big boss, going to work. 

This is my lovely, kind and generous aunty. May she always be blessed with wealth, great health and happiness!

My aunty's security guard and their home-made raft made of crates and plastic containers.

Aunty's workers got picked up and sent home in a boat! Kudos!

Yesterday, The Noose announced its comeback of season 5 with a hilarious spoof in Youtube, featuring the Thailand floods. However it was mysteriously removed today. I guess it may be due to Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra's visit to Singapore today. However someone reposted this clip again. Haha. 

Saw from another website many photos of how the Thai people reacted to this testing period of floods. The online citizen aptly commented, "In times of flood, we complain. The Thais innovate". Indeed, I have a renewed respect for the Thais. Here are some of the photos...

Play our little secret ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Niece in kindergarten

While packing my cupboard, chanced upon this piece of paper. Had a good laugh.  Was wondering was this written by my niece or nephew.  I guess it was most likely done by my niece because.. look at all the little hearts.... ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥  I have also kept many of her drawings as she loves art and craft. 

I think this was written years ago when she would come over to my place after school each day, and spend the afternoons and evenings here.  I don't remember doing up a "To Do" list myself even when I was a kid, so I find this so amusingly cute. My niece just received very good PSLE results and would be going to secondary school next year.  I wish my little curly hair girl do not grow up so fast, at least not so soon. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Would you tattoo your girlfriend on your back?

Chinese national, Wang Zhijian, is on trial for allegedly killing his girlfriend Zhang Meng in a frenzied attack in her Yishun flat in Singapore. She was found with 44 knife wounds. He is also accused of killing her teenage daughter and a flatmate too.

The couple apparently fell out over durians. Zhang Meng had wanted money from Wang Zhijian to buy durians. When he refused, she called him a pauper, which enraged him and resulted in this tragedy. 

When the couple were on better terms, Wang Zhijian got a picture of his girlfriend Zhang Meng tattooed on his back to prove his love for her, this was revealed in court today.

As a guy, would you tattoo your girlfriend's photo on your body?  Does that make one more faithful? What happens when the relationship turn sour and you have found someone new to love?  Does 'possessing' a part of your girlfriend with you ensure that she will stay with you forever?  Why must one be so attached to a physical aspect of your lover? Isn't that too much attachment? 

I just feel it is so foolish for a grown up man to kill 3 precious human lives in a moment of fury, not to mention the punishment he has to suffer now not just in this lifetime, but future lifetimes as well.

And just the other day, it was reported in the news that everyday, four or five people in Singapore attempt suicide, and at least one succeeds. The causes of suicide are often due to failed relationships and huge debts.  And the number of those who committed suicide are getting younger. It is so sad to hear news like this.

It is so unfortunate and such a waste of precious human life. We have already created loads of good karma and incredible merits in order to be born as a human in this lifetime. Why do we have to waste it due to such foolish acts?  If we do not treasure this precious human rebirth well, do you know we may be reborn as an animal, or hungry ghost or hell being in our next life, through the unbelievable atrocious actions we commit everyday in this life?  

May the souls of the victims whom Wang Zhijian killed rest in peace and may he have a peace of mind and realise/confess his mistake.  May those who need help be able to receive help, may those who need solace be able to find it.  May all human beings treasure their lives well.

Anyhow, be careful what you tattoo behind your back, guys.